Ecozone takes steps via OGCC to collect P10M rental for power site

Ecozone takes steps via OGCC to

collect P10M rental for power site

ZAMBOANGA CITY (ZNS) –The Zamboanga Special Economic and Free Port Authority (Zamboecozone) will rely on the Office of the Government Corporate Counsel (OGCC) to collect the amount of P10 million in rentals of a proposed power plant space at the facility.

The amount covers arrears and still uncollected rental for some 33 hectares of land inside the Zamboecozone that the San Ramon Power Incorporated (SRPI) will use to construct a 100 megawatt coal-powered plant at the site.

Zamboecozone Chairman Christopher Arnuco said the period within which SRPI was supposed to pay the amount has already lapsed and the amount is now collectible and due the Ecozone.

Arnuco said that the Ecozone through the OGCC has sent three demand letters to SRPI, the latest dated Sept 18 with the stipulation that the amount be paid within 15 days upon receipt of the demand letter.

At the same time, Arnuco said that the Zamboecozone has nothing to do with the power sharing agreement (PSA) entered into betwen the SPRI and the Zamboanga City Electric Cooperative or Zamcelco.

SRPI and Zamcelco have agreed to the construction of the coal powered plant at the Zamboecozone.

He said that their main responsibility is to prepare the site for the coal fired power plant.

On the other hand, the contract between the Zamboanga Ecozone and SRPI is only to produce the 33 hectare land that includes the removal of any of any settlers of occupants to the property and the conversion of the site from agricultural to industrial use.

Arnuco said that having done these, SRPI is obligated to pay to them the mentioned amount of over P10 million pesos.

The amount covers the advance rental payment for the lot from October 2013 to December 2014 to include interests on the amount.(ZNS) (102814)